2. The Project Three year outreach project
Present the Stop Wondering, Start Knowing School Video Resource
Workshops in school districts in the north, interior and island regions of BC (5 last year, 7 this year, 9 next year)
Educator Sessions and Community Sessions

3. Outline Purpose and Goals of the Project The School Video Resource
-Background, development, use in school communities
Evaluation
Going Forward
Q and A

4. Purpose of the Project
Enhance capacity of school professionals to identify and respond early to mental health challenges
Increase educator and youth awareness of community and provincial mental health resources
Stimulate meaningful dialogue and support strategic and sustainable strategies to promote student mental wellness

5. The School Video Resource
Developed for high schools across BC
Goals: increase student and staff awareness, increase dialogue, decrease stigma
Customizable, no background knowledge needed
Videos of youth with lived experience, facilitation guides, discussion questions and answers, lesson plans and activities, resources for students and teachers
-developed to address requests for in person presentations

6. The School Video Resource
Advisory committee of youth, parents, health and school professionals
Focus groups of youth and school professionals
Pilot testing in 5 schools with results indicating reduction in stigmatizing attitudes and improved health literacy

7. Key Messages from the Resource
Mental health affects us all
It’s important to recognize when thoughts, feelings and behaviours are becoming too much to handle and to identify the early signs and symptoms of mental health challenges
There are actions we can take to improve our mental health
It’s important to talk about mental health
It’s important to seek help when needed and to know what resources and supports are available

8. Format of the Workshops
Paul’s story
Local area data
The school video resource
Links to the new BC school curriculum
Small and large group discussions
Local area resources
Provincial resources -

9. Impact of the workshop on participant’s mental health literacy

12. Feedback from workshops…
It helped me feel better or more able to talk about mental health issues – Educator, Vernon
Having a resource to help teens help each other by also knowing how to access help for friends who are struggling is invaluable – Educator, Smithers
Paul is very brave for being so forthcoming with his story. It is not easy to talk about mental health. There is still a lot of stigma attached. If more people shared maybe this would change. –Community member, Vernon
What I liked most about the workshop: That I see a roomful of people willing to talk about this! – Community member, Cranbrook

13. Going Forward… Including more discussion time
Increasing use of the resource-discussion of barriers and how it can be customized
More resources for younger grades

14. Q&A